Modeling Portfolio - How to Build One

Your modeling portfolio will be what sells you when you are looking for modeling jobs. In some cases, it can make or break your career.

Steps You Should Take

Find a professional photographer to take your photos. Run an Internet search.

Look through your phone book. Phone up local agencies and ask them which photographers they use.

Call up or, even better, visit the photographers you have found. Ask them about things like pricing, format of the film/digital photos and how long you usually have to wait between the shoot and getting the photos. Also, ask to see a sample of the photographers work.

Hire a professional make-up artist. If you are lucky, the photographer will sort this out for you but remember to ask if the cost of the make-up artist is included in the fee or if you have to pay extra. If the photographer isn't providing one, search for one in the same way you searcher for your photographer.

Look through fashion magazines and clothes catalogs and find poses you like. Practice in front of a mirror.

Decide on a number of looks you want to do. Ideally, you should pick at least three and they should demonstrate a wide variety (so not all jeans and t-shirt shots!!). If you have a special skill, such as ballet, you may even want to consider taking some photos in your ballet kit.

Keep your hair, skin and nails in good condition in the run up to the shoot. If you need a hair cut, get one.

Once you have decided what clothes to wear, make sure they are clean and put to one side for the shoot well in advance. Ideally, you should have decided upon your outfits and have them ready at least 5 days before the shoot.

48 hours before the shoot, call your photographer and make-up artist to make sure everything is still ok.

The day before the shoot, make sure you get a good night's sleep and stay away from alcohol.

The morning of the shoot, double check that your bag is packed and that you have money for travel fares and parking fees. Aim to arrive 10 minutes before you are due (and make sure that time has accounted for applying make-up!). Carry the photographer's number on you and give them a call if you realize you might be late.

Discuss what sort of looks you want to go for with the photographer. After this, you will probably have your make-up applied.

Enjoy your photoshoot! Listen carefully to what the photographer wants. Try not to be nervous but do acknowledge that feeling as normal...even models who have been working for years upon years get nervous.

Once the shoot is over, pay your fees as required and write a thank you note to the photographer and your make-up artist.

Once you have your photos, sort out the ones you like from the ones that aren't so good. Enlist family and friends to help out. Remember that less is more - if you only find 5 magical shots, use these and stop. That's far better than using 25 which are just "ok".

Buy a folder to put your photos in. Most models opt for hardcover books with ready attached plastic folders.

Sort out your modeling portfolio in to the order which best presents you as you want to be presented as a model. Try different combinations until you feel satisfied you have found the right one.

Remember to keep updating your modeling portfolio as you begin to work as a model.

Tips for Creating a Modeling Portfolio

• If you are trying to get your portfolio done with the sole aim of getting signed to an agency, think twice. The majority of agencies will ask you to do a portfolio shoot upon signing anyway, so this could very well mean paying twice!
• In the first instance, it may be worthwhile approaching agencies with snapshot headshots and bodyshots. If this gets you nowhere, then consider paying a professional.
• When you are getting dressed, make sure all your clothes are on properly - as in no twisted straps, no buttons done up through the wrong holes...
• Remember - your portfolio is not a photo album! If a photo doesn't "sell" you, don't keep it because you have develop sentimental value towards it.
• Ideally, you should aim to have photos no older than a year in your portfolio. This may mean having to get your modeling portfolio re-shot again, so be prepared!
• It's a good idea to keep spare copies of the photos in your portfolio in a safe place. You'll avoid major panics if you should lose your modeling portfolio if you do this.

Be Careful...

• Unless you are amazingly good at applying your own make-up, hire a make-up artist for the shoot. It is an additional expense but you don't want to shell out on expensive photos only to have them ruined by poor make-up.
• Don't assume that the photographer charging you the most must therefore be the best. On the other hand, also remember that you get what you pay for. Strike a balance!!
• Practicing modeling may feel weird at first but it is a must! What you think looks good in your head may not work out in real life...and you want to know that before you head to the photoshoot!
• Be aware of tanning before the shoot as tan lines can create problems.
• Be aware that many photographers and make-up artists will have cancellation policies. As a rule of thumb, if you cancel within 48 hours of the starting time of the shoot, you will have to pay at least some, usually all, of the fee.

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